Universal joint



Feb. 24, 1942. I E. B. ANDERSON 2,273,920

UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed may 12, 1959 Qfznzuzd' all 6725072 Patented Feb. 24, 1942 UNIVERSAL Jonvr Edmund B. Anderson, Rockford,

Borg-Warner Corporation,

poration of Illinois 111., ass'ignor to I Chicago, 111., a corapplication May 12, 1939., Serial N9. mazes Claims. This invention relates to universal joints and particularly to .an improved construction of bearing cup and retaining strapttherefor.

I It :is an object of this invention to provide an improved form ofv bearing; cup and retaining strap providing forthe ready assembly and disassembly of the universal I joint without disturbing the line of shafting with which the joint cooperates.

It is a further object to provide in such an arrangement an improved form of strap and bearing cup that is effective to both accurately define the spaced relationship between the opposed bearing cups and also effective to prevent radial outward movement of the bearing cups.

Still another object is to accomplish the above, while at the same time reducing the number of parts normally employed withoutsacrificing the function thereof.

Other detailed objects, advantages and uses 'of my invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification taken together with the accompanyingdrawing forming a part thereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an assembly view of a embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial section view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2; and I Fig. 4 is a perspective-like view of my improved strap forming part of the assembly shown in Fig, 1.

In accordance with my invention, each of the bearing cups of one pair is formed with annular recess about the periphery thereof intermediate the ends. The retaining caps are formed with complementary protuberances for' reception in the bearing cup recess.

This relationship serves the dual function of fastening the bearing cups to the yoke anddefinitely spacing the cups against radial outward movement.

Referring in greater detail to the figures of the drawing a universal joint incorporating my invention is indicated generally at In and is composed essentially of a first yoke member ll having arms l2 formed with oppositely disposed ring seats l3 receiving a first set of bearing cups l4 and a second yoke member l5 having arms l6 formed with oppositely disposed arcuate seats I! for partially embraced reception of a second set of bearing cups of improved construction indicated generally at 18 retained therein by an improved strap indicated generally at IS, the

respective sets of bearing cups receiving oppouniversal joint recess 2-4.

sitely extending pairs of tnmnions fiorming part of a spider -\or intermediate pivotal member indicated at 20.. Q

Bearing cups t8 are formed on the outer periphery between the ends with an annular il'ris recess may be readily provided by a turning operation or othermeans.

' The straps l9 are formed on the inner periphery with radially inwardly extending protuberance 22 substantially complementary in size and form to that portion of annular recess 2| closely adjacent thereto. This, strap may be. readily formed by a hot or cold rolling or stamping operation.

In addition to the above structure there is provided bolts 23 for fastening straps l9 to yoke arm l6. Snap rings 24 function to prevent the radial outward movement of bearing cups I 4 relative to their embracing seats [3. There is provided the usual arrangement of telescoping spherical-like housing, one portion of which is indicated in dotted lines at 30 for confining the lubricant and shielding the joint against egress of foreign matter.

From the above it will be readily appreciated that the present joint can be quickly and efiiciently assembled and disassembled by the removal of bolts 23 and straps IS without disturbing the line of shafting in which the joint is arranged to cooperate. In operation the protuberances 22 on straps I9 will maintain the proper spacing between cups l8 and prevent outward radial movement thereof. The individual straps I 9 combine the attaching function and the additional function of a snap ring without the necessity of providing this additional element. This structure is simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. a

While I have illustrated my invention in connection with one particular embodiment, I con- 'otal member type includin a yoke, a bearing cup, and a strap for holding said bearing cup on an arm of the yoke; saidarrangement being particularly characterized by the formation in said cup of a circumferentially extending recess, and said strap being formed on its inner side with a radially inwardly and circumferentially extending flange for reception in said recess, said flange functioning to position said bearing cup axially and maintain the same against radially outin said recess, positioning said bearing cup axward movement and providing for quick assemially, maintaining said cup securely against rably and disassembly. dially outward movement and providing for quick 2. In a universal joint of the intermediate assembly and disassembly. pivotal member type including a yoke member 5 4. In a universal joint of the intermediate formed with a bearing cup receiving seat, a bearpivotal member type, a yoke member formed ing cup seated therein and receiving a trunnion with a semi-cylindrical bearing seat, a bearing of said pivotal member, said cup having a circup having a cylindrical periphery snugly recumferentially elongated recess in its periphceived in said seat, and having in said periphery cry, and a bearing retaining strap partially ema circumferentially extending recess intermebracing Said bearing p and attached adjacent diate the ends of the cup, and a retaining strap its end to said yoke, said strap being formed having an arched intermediate region complealong a long tudinal edge t o w an mentary to and snugly engaging the portion of tegral flange extending radially inwardly and said bearing cup periphery which projects beyond snugly fitted in said recess for securely positionsaid bearing seat, and having a radially inwarding said bearing cup along its axis and restrainly and longitudinally extending flange snugly reing the a against radially O d mov m ceived in said recess and cooperating therewith 3. In a universal joint of the intermediate pivfor axially positioning said bearing cup and seotal member type including a yoke formed with curely retaining the same against radially outa bearing seat, a bearing cup seated in said seat ward movement.

and a strap for holding the cup in said seat, 5. A universal joint as defined in claim 3, said arrangement being particularly characterwherein said flange merges at its end regions ized by the formation in said cup of an annular with the interior arcuate surface of the rerecess about the periphery thereof intermediate taming strap and gradually increases in thickits ends and the provision on said strap of a ness t w it t l i radially inwardly extending flange snugly received EDMUND ANDERSON 

